The fighting between the Sri Lanka military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended two years ago, but consequences of the 30-year conflict that left hundreds of thousands displaced are still felt. The region remains under military control and families rely on the federal government's assistance for daily necessities. After the death of many area men in fighting, tens of thousands of women are now the head of household, but transportation, employment, and education are all hard to come by after the long war, and prostitution and trafficking have increased. Reports of gender-based violence and domestic violence have also risen.

Furthermore, the Sri Lanka government has refused to investigate claims of sexual abuse committed by members of its military. Alan Keenan of the International Crisis Group'sSri Lanka Project stated that "many women still live in fear of violence by the state and from within their own communities." This fear further restricts movement and opportunities in the economically depressed region. Keenan added, "The conflict has badly damaged the social fabric and has left women and girls vulnerable at multiple levels."

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